Steve Joubert had always wanted to be a pilot and the only way he could afford to do so, was to join the South African Air Force in the late 1970s.

As an adventurous young man with a wicked sense of humour, he tells of the many amusing escapades he had as a trainee pilot. But soon he is sent to fight in the Border War in northern Namibia (then South West Africa) where he is exposed to the carnage of war. The pilots of the Alouette helicopters were witness to some of the worst scenes of the Border War. Often, they were the first to arrive after a deadly landmine accident.

In the fiercest battles their gunships regularly supplied life-saving air cover to troops on the ground.

Superb study of the 88, 105, 128 and 150mm guns.

Having spent much of its quarter century of military service in the shadows of more glamorous aircraft, the tough, hard-working H-43 helicopter is brought to the forefront in this long overdue account. Recounting the personal experiences of aircrews, and with dramatic incidents and exclusive illustrations, Wayne Mutza brings to light the H-43's unique development and numerous accomplishments. The complete details of the helicopter's colorful past, which have long remained in obscurity, are presented for the first time in this fascinating volume. Coverage includes early U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Service, U.S. Air Force crash-rescue, combat in Southeast Asia, foreign use, commercial operators, and unusual variants and survivors. Whether pulling flyers from fiery crashes, rescuing airmen from enemy lairs in the jungles of Southeast Asia, aiding hurricane victims, or flying plane guard duty off carriers, the H-43 proved itself a most distinct and capable brand of helicopter.